June 4, 2025: Seasons

“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven— A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1–4, NASB 2020)

A family is formed and lives through various seasons. A man and a woman begin at the Lord’s altar, entering into covenant with each other and the Lord. They learn to live together and merge their aspirations into a common vision and shared values. For “better or worse” is not a possibility, but the various seasons that every couple will experience over time. By God’s grace, each experience makes the couple stronger.

The family grows as children are born. Each child brings a unique personality and precious gifts to the family. Beginning with complete dependence on the parents, the child matures physically, mentally, and emotionally. Good parents recognize the need to train them in the way to grow but allow them to experience growing responsibility. As hard as it is, there comes a day when we release them as adults from our household into their own.

So too, the Church experiences seasons in her life together. Paul reminds the Church at Corinth that his work was carried on at his departure by Apollos:

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now the one who plants and the one who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”  (1 Corinthians 3:6–9, NASB 2020)

As I prepare to move on to a new ministry near my family, this congregation will enter a new season under a new rector. But God remains the one who leads our Church in every season. In this season, we have experienced a dramatic improvement in our financial strength, providing resources for our future growth. Half of our regular attendees have come to us in the last four years. Yet, we have buried a number of our long-time members and had a number of others move out of the area. We have also experienced a difficult pandemic. While experiencing both good and difficult times, God has been with us throughout.

I love this congregation! I believe that her best days are to come. I charge you to commit yourselves to that future, knowing that God is forever faithful!